Signal device to indicate malfunction of vehicle clutch

ABSTRACT

A clutch shaft has a cavity that receives a compression spring outside of which is a first electrical contact. A telescoping plunger rod movably extends into said cavity and it carries another electrical contact normally spaced from the first contact. When the clutch is worn or has any malfunction, such as being out of adjustment, the telescoping shaft moves farther into said cavity and at a predetermined point the two contacts meet, giving a signal such as illuminating a bulb or making a buzzing sound, to indicate the clutch needs attention.

United StatesPatent f Capachietti, Sr. et a1.

1541 SIGNAL nEvlcE TOQINDICATE 1 MALFUNCTION OF VEHICLE CLUTCH 72 Inventors: Alfred J. Capachlettl, Sr., 27 Bowen Avenue, Medford, Mass. 02155;

Daniel P. Capriottl, Sr., Pearl Street,

Somerville, Mass. 02740 221 Filed: Sept. 20, 1971 211 h ltyp 181,736

521 -insllci u ..34o/s2 R, ZOO/61.89

[51] Int. Cl.'...L ..".G08b 21/00 [58] Field of Search "340/5211; 52 B, 52 C521, 340/69, 74, 282; ZOO/61.89, 86.5

[56] 1 References Cited;

'uNrr' D STATES PATENTS 1 2,425,985 8/1947 Blomber'g ..200/61.89

1 51 3,702,458 1451 Nov. 7, 1972 3,469,666 9/1969 Goode ..340/52RX Primary Examiner-Alvin H. Waring Attorney-Harold E. Cole 7 s71 v ABSTRACT A clutch shaft has a cavity that receives a compression spring outside of which is a first electrical contact. A telescoping plunger rod movably" extends "into said cavity and .it carries another electrical contact normally spaced from the first contact. When the clutch is worn or'hasany malfunction, such as'being out of adjustment, the telescoping shaft moves farther into said cavity andat a predetermined point the two contacts meet, giving a signal such as illuminating a bulb or making a/buzzing sound, to indicate the clutch needs attention;

I 8 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure v the nature of the invention is better understood, may be 'aecomplished by a" construction, combination and operative arrangement of parts such as is disclosed by the drawing.

' In the drawing, a longitudinal sectional view of my.

device. is shown, the electrical in normal position. l e v As illustrated, the usual clutch shaft l'for an aucontact members being tom'obile', especially a truck, has a housing portionl2 at one end having a cavity 14 into which'a compression member such as a coil spring 16 extends, bearing against an end wall 18 of said cavity. A pusher member 20, which is made of tough, insulating material such as polyetra fluorethyleneorfiber, contacts the front end of said spring, being held in-position by a screw 22 that is countersunk in a plunger rod 28. Said pusher member forms an end extremity of said rod.- o I Said pusher member has peripheral recess .24. therein into which a circular, electricalcontact member 26 extends, later referred to. Said'plunger rod 28 has a hole 32 drilled longitudinally therein to receive an electrical wire 30 that extends from said contact 26. Said wire 30 forms part of a well known electrical circuit, extending to an electric bulb 34 as shown, from caseof badly m clutch plates or other malfunction of the clutch, actuation ofsaid plunger rod 28 will bring said contact member.26 into contact with said contact member '43,'which will close an electrical circuitand thus. illuminate said bulb 34 or activate any other signaling means that is used.

Upon'release of the clutch said coil spring '16 will 1 force saidplunger rodf28'to' normal position, thus pression spring in said cavity, a plunger rod telescopi-.

' member and being so positioned to contact the latter separating said'two contact members and opening the electrical circuit. Should said rod 28 fail to return to normal position-when the clutch is released said spring 46 will provide the pull-back force thatwill assure such LA iigrfzifli eeice to indicate clutch-malfunction comprisinga shaft havin'ga cavity. at one. end, a comcallyextending into said cavity and being adjacent one end of said spring, a first contact member mounted in said shaft, another contact member carried by said plunger rod and normally spacedfrom said first contact when said rod moves a predetermined distance farther which a wire 36 extends to a battery 38 that is grounded as at 40 to the frame of an automobile, not shown, or other suitable ground. A wire 42 extends to another contact member 43 that is fixedly mounted in said housing portion, being located in the path of movement of said plunger rod 28 and contact member 26.

'Said bulb 40' is preferably located on the instrument panel of a vehicle. I

It is sometimes preferable to provide a pull-back spring 46 which may be attached to the frame of an auto, not shown, or other suitable place. This spring 46 is connected to said rod 28 by means of a collar 48 held by a screw 50 to the latter. I i

To further support and help steady our signal device we provide a collar 54 on said shaft 10 by attaching the former by a screw 56. A coil spring 58 extends from into said cavity, a signal member, and electricity conducting means connected to said contact members and said signal member tothereby provide a closed circuit when said contact members are in contact.

2. A signal device as of claim 1, and a pusher member of insulating material at the end of andforming part of said rod and being adjacent'one end of said spring,'said first contact member extending into said pusher member.

- 3. A signal device as of claim 1, said shaft having a housing portion in which said cavity is located, said first contact member extending intosaid housing portion.

4. A signal device as of claim 1, said rod having a longitudinally extending hole therein and extending to an outer extremity thereof, said electricity conducting means extending from said first contact member through said hole and beyond.

5. A signal device as of claim as of claim 2, and a pin member extending into said pusher member and extending into said rod and being fixed therein.

6. A signal device as of claim 1 and a pull-back spring attached to said rod and being adapted to be anchored exteriorly of said device.

7. A signal device as of claim 5, said shaft having a housing portion in which said cavity is located, said first contact member extending into said housing portion.

8. A signaldevice as of claim 7, said another contact member being opposite said spring and rearwardly of the normal position of said pusher member. 

1. A signal device to indicate clutch malfunction comprising a shaft having a cavity at one end, a compression spring in said cavity, a plunger rod telescopically extending into said cavity and being adjacent one end of said spring, a first contact member mounted in said shaft, another contact member carried by said plunger rod and normally spaced from said first contact member and being so positioned to contact the latter when said rod moves a predetermined distance farther into said cavity, a signal member, and electricity conducting means connected to said contact members and said signal member to thereby provide a closed circuit when said contact members are in contact.
 2. A signal device as of claim 1, and a pusher member of insulating material at the end of and forming part of said rod and being adjacent one end of said spring, said first contact member extending into said pusher member.
 3. A signal device as of claim 1, said shaft having a housing portion in which said cavity is located, said first contact member extending into said housing portion.
 4. A signal device as of claim 1, said rod having a longitudinally extending hole therein and extending to an outer extremity thereof, said electricity conducting means extending from said first contact member through said hole and beyond.
 5. A signal device as of claim as of claim 2, and a pin member extending into said pusher member and extending into said rod and being fixed therein.
 6. A signal device as of claim 1, and a pull-back spring attached to said rod and being adapted to be anchored exteriorly of said device.
 7. A signal device as of claim 5, said shaft having a housing portion in which said cavity is located, said first contact member extending into said housing portion.
 8. A signal device as of claim 7, said another contact member being opposite said spring and rearwardly of the normal position of said pusher member. 